The Rainbow Times' May 7, 2015 Issue

2 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015

Pride Celebrations in New England: May - Sept. 2015

Lesbian partners make Presbyterian history as ministers

By: Nicole Lashomb*/ TRT Editor-in-Chief

By: Paul P. Jesep*/TRT Columnist

L

OPINIONS

ike many other organizations, The Rainbow Times is gearing up for Pride. One of New England’s largest Pride events just took place—Northampton (NoHo) Pride, which officially kicked off Pride Season in New England. Our photo coverage of NoHo Pride, which is something we’ve been covering since 2007, can be found on page 7 of this issue (with a link that will take you to photos and the story), which didn’t make it into our print isssue, unfortunately.

A comprehensive story from TRT’s Assistant Editor, Lauren Walleser (http://tiny.cc/trtprideseason), shows how committed we are to covering Pride.

Besides coverage, this year we are a proud media partner of North Shore Pride and Worcester Pride. In the spirit of Pride, you will see us present at most of these celebrations, the next one being Boston Pride, which celebrates its 45th Anniversary (#wickedproud).

In the spirit of Pride, TRT’s has produced two special pieces this Season. The New England Pride Pocket-Size Map was out by April 30th and has already saturated western Mass. It showcases most of the Pride Parade routes and information in the region. If you have a smart phone, you can scan the QR Codes in it to get more information directly from the various Pride websites. The New England Pride Map can also be found in the center pages of this issue. It will be distrib-

In the spirit of Pride, TRT has produced 2 special pieces this Season, while keeping the environment in mind: 1.The New England Pride Map & 2. The NE Pride Guide. uted at all Pride events from June-September, 2015. Make sure to take the centerfold with you and stay on top of these celebrations!

In addition, look out for the completely redesigned New England Pride Guide, versatile enough to fit into your pocket too.

Coming to you in June, this piece is made with recyclable paper and bio-degradable ink. We are also committed to protect the environment. We are proud to do it! This Mini Magazine will have more in-depth information about the Pride Events throughout New England and will also be distributed from June-September at all Pride events and will be inserted into TRT’s June issue too.

Happy Pride everyone and let’s celebrate safely, but remembering that our struggles are not over. Marriage equality is not the end of it, but the beginning. Let’s show that at Pride too. I know we, at TRT, will. *Nicole Lashomb holds an MBA from Marylhurst University & a Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam. E-mail her at: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com.

Quakers, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Evangelical Lutherans, and members of the United Church of Christ are among the Christian denominations (tiny.cc/uw9fxx) supporting marriage equality or blessing same-gender unions.

The Reform Jewish Movement and Conservative Jewish Movement also support marriage equality, while Hindus and Buddhists have no settled position.

Recently, the Presbyterian Church (distinct from the Presbyterian Church of America) may have made Christian LGBTQ history when it ordained a lesbian married couple (http://tiny.cc/i09fxx) as ministers at the same service. The Presbyterian Church no longer defines marriage as between a man and woman, but between two people.

It’s another example that faith, religion, and spirituality are not opposed to LGBTQ civil and human rights.

No Christian denomination speaks exclusively for the Giver of Life. What sometimes sounds like condemnation from the Almighty is not. Instead, it’s judgment from Ethel Merman-like voices projecting spiritual insecurities with the confidence to speak for God (defined gender neutral).

Kaci and Holly Clark-Porter met in Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Both

WMass: Imperial Crown Prince & Princess Ball SPRINGFIELD, Mass.— The Principality of Western Massachusetts’ 3rd Annual Imperial Crown Prince and Princess Ball will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at the Springfield Sheraton. RuPaul’s Drag Race mega stars Jujubee, Raven and Kayta will headline the event.

“We are thrilled to be able to have such amazing talent again appearing at the 3rd Annual Prince and Princess Ball,” said Nelson Roman, Board President. “Our Theme A Mid Summer Nights Dream, will transform downtown Springfield into a land of fantasy.”

The Community Service Diamond Award, OUTstanding Business/Professional Awards, and the Positive Force Award will also be presented to honorees.

Over the past three years, the Principality has raised over $30K for LGBTQA, HIV/AIDS and youth enrichment organizations. The Imperial Crown Prince and Princess Ball is more than just a dazzling display of regal glamour, it is an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQA community, and in particular, the colorful cross-dressing performers of the community.

“As always, it is important that we continue to raise funds for our community,” Roman said. “Our organization continues to make a difference in fighting homophobia, HIV/AIDS and other social injustices, while empowering youth who are our next leaders.”

This year’s beneficiaries include the AIDS Foundation of Western Mass., Invisible No More, and the LGBT Center of Springfield.

More than 200 guests attend the local red carpet-black tie gala from all over the United

See Imperial Court on Page 6

...it’s judgment from Ethel Merman-like voices projecting spiritual insecurities with the confidence to speak for God (defined gender neutral). had divorced their husbands and were on a spiritual journey. In 2011, they married before moving to Delaware where Kaci became an associate pastor at First and Central Presbyterian Church. Although Holly is also a Presbyterian pastor, she ministers at a primarily gay church.

Among the things these religious leaders and trailblazers offer to God’s LGBTQ chilRead the rest of this story at: http://wp.me/p22M41-3xP

GLAD’s Director Mary Bonauto - Talks of Gratitude http://wp.me/p22M41-3xS

The Rainbow Times The Freshest LGBT Newspaper in New England—Boston Based TheRainbowTimesMass.com editor@therainbowtimesmass.com sales@therainbowtimesmass.com Phone: 617.444.9618 / 413.282.8881 Fax: 928.437.9618 Publisher Gricel M. Ocasio Editor-In-Chief Nicole Lashomb Assistant Editor Lauren Walleser National/Local Sales Rivendell Media Chris Gilmore Liz Johnson Lead Photographer Alex Mancini Reporters Chuck Colbert Christine Nicco Lauren Walleser Clara Lefton Keen News Service

Ad & Layout Design Prizm PR Webmaster Jarred Johnson Columnists/Guest* Lorelei Erisis Deja N. Greenlaw Paul P. Jesep Wilfred Labiosa Francisco “Jimagua” Cartagena Mendez Keegan O’Brien* Affiliations National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association QSyndicate *Guest Writer

The Rainbow Times is published monthly by The Rainbow Times, LLC. TRT is affiliated with the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, NLGJA, National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, NGLCC, The Connecticut Alliance for Business Opportunity,CABO, and QSyndicate. The articles written by the writers, columnists, and correspondents solely express their opinion, and do not represent the endorsement or opinion of The Rainbow Times, LLC or its owners. Send letters to the editor with your name, address and phone number to: The Rainbow Times (address shown above), or e-mail any comment/s to the editor at: editor@therainbowtimesmass.com. All submissions will be edited according to space constraints. The Rainbow Times, LLC reserves the right not to print any or all content, or advertisements for any reason at all. TRT is not responsible for advertising content. To receive The Rainbow Times at your home via regular mail, or through electronic delivery, please visit its website. The whole content and graphics (photos, etc.) are the sole property of The Rainbow Times, LLC and they cannot be reproduced at all without TRT’s written consent.

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 3

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015

By: Clara Lefton/TRT Reporter

IN THE LIMELIGHT

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people has been a hot topic in the media recently after Indiana passed its Religious Freedom and Restoration Act. The religious objections bill would have allowed organizations and businesses to legally discriminate against the LGBTQ community. However, significant backlash quickly had the bill overturned. The state of Arkansas also attempted to pass a similar law.

LGBTQ Americans are often forced to cope with the daily emotional stress of these discriminatory laws and policies, especially in the workplace. Recently, The Cambridge Women’s Center in Cambridge, Mass. introduced a support group specific to the challenges of being LGBTQ in the workplace for people who identify as a woman. The meetings take place on the first Tuesday of every month from 6-7 p.m.

“I’ve been actively looking to expand our LGBTQ programming,” said Katie Heimer, coordinator for programming and outreach at The Cambridge Women’s Center. “We did a training recently for volunteers on LGBTQ inclusivity and resources. It’s an area that I really want to see further grow at the Center.”

The group itself was developed by a volunteer, Megan Riesz, who has weekly diffi-

culties navigating her professional life and being a part of the LGBTQ community. Assisting Riesz in volunteering to run the new group is her partner Sydney Moyer, who has also experienced similar issues in the workplace.

“I’m not always a confident person and when I first started my latest job, which is my second out of college, it felt weirdly awkward to mention my girlfriend to people,” Riesz explained. “It felt like I had to ‘come out’ over and over again, especially because I’m fairly straight-presenting, and that was really annoying. I knew no one would judge me negatively, but the heteronormativity of the corporate workplace can be daunting, especially for a flaming liberal like myself.”

The Cambridge Women’s Center has served as a safe space for women since 1971 and is located in a formerly Harvard University-owned building on Memorial Drive. Its services range from counseling to a variety of other support groups and a helpline. The Center is led by a small staff and consists mostly of volunteers.

Although Massachusetts has a long history of being on the liberal side of social and cultural issues, the new group seems to be a groundbreaking concept for the area.

“It’s really important that safe spaces exist to talk about the realities that we face both as trans people and as the larger LGBTQ community around employment, and general challenges that we face in a world that doesn’t always understand,” said Mason Dunn, executive director of the Massachu-

PHOTO: THE CAMBRIDGE WOMEN’S CENTER

As workplace LGBTQ discrimination persists, local organizations react

Volunteer training at The Cambridge Women’s Center

setts Transgender Political Coalition (MassTPC). “But having a space specifically dedicated to workplace, I don’t know of anything beyond this. This is new in that front.”

Massachusetts is still behind other states with laws against discrimination of transgender people by failing to provide public accommodations protections. Dunn remains confident that a religious freedom bill would not pass in the state, and is more focused on passing a public accommodations bill.

MassTPC has teamed up with organizations like MassEquality, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth (BAGLY), and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Massachusetts to fight for these concerns.

“The definition of public accommodations includes any place open to the public, so we’re talking about public transportation, hospitals, any place that’s open to public use is a public accommodation,” Dunn further explained. “At this moment in Massachusetts law, public accommodations discrimination is perfectly legal on the basis of gender identity or gender expression, and we’re looking to remedy that major oversight in law through a bill that is both a House Bill and a Senate Bill in the state.”

Meanwhile, while the state does have workplace protections for LGBTQ people, The Women’s Center continues their support for people dealing with more subtle, but still troubling, biases experienced at work.

“My girlfriend and I would come home at the end of the day and talk about how frustrated we were that we didn’t feel like everybody else at work, that our straight counterparts had this privilege of talking about their significant others without question marks dancing in anyone’s heads,” Riesz reflected.

To learn more about The Cambridge Women’s Center visit www.cambridgewomenscenter.org. For more on MassTPC, visit www.massptc.org.

4 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015

NE orgs. support marginalized sexualities, relationships, gender and racial identities By: Lauren Walleser/TRT Assistant Editor

Despite growing visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout society, there are still many segments of the population whose identities continue to be marginalized. Organizations in Boston and New England are striving to serve and support these communities.

Last month, the Hispanic Black Gay Coalition (HBGC) hosted “Colors of Love: A Celebration of Queer Love & Relationships,” led by HBGC’s New Leaders Institute Program and HUES-Brown LGBTQ Womyn. According to organizers Daniela Amaya (program manager for HUES) and Bryce J. Celotto (program manager for New Leaders Institute), the purpose of the event was to create an open, inclusive, safer space for dialogue on the variety of love and relationships among LGBTQ+ people of color and their allies.

“We wanted to bring folks together to discuss the more personal and intimate details of our lives and expand folks’ knowledge about marginalized people and how they navigate their relationships,” Amaya and Celotto said. “We wanted a variety of identities to be represented and for attendees to be able to see parts of themselves reflected in those who helped make this event possible.”

Topics discussed included asexuality, trans bodies and trans* sex, queer sex 101, open/polyamorous relationships, and healing around trauma people have faced in past relationships.

“Heteronormativity and compulsory monogamy are reinforced in our society by

how much they are emphasized in the dominant culture and depicted as the pinnacle of success,” said Amaya and Celotto. “There is a certain order that is projected onto us and that we are told to conform to from a very young age: stay in Robyn Ochs, national school, go to colspeaker, editor of the lege, get a job, get “Bi Women Quarterly,” married, have kids, and co-editor of two etcetera. If, for anthologies, “Getting whatever reason, Bi: Voices of Bisexuals we don’t accomAround the World” and plish these things or “RECOGNIZE: The meet societal exVoices of Bisexual pectations of what’s Men.” considered ‘norPHOTO: ROBYN OCHS mal’—[for example] straight, cis, monogamous—we have deviated from the ‘norm.’ We have ‘failed.’”

Amaya and Celotto also said that the LGBTQ+ community itself reinforces heteronormativity, compulsory monogamy and cissexism at times through privileging socially constructed gender roles, not considering trans women ‘real women’ or trans men ‘real men,’ and by focusing heavily on marriage equality and marriage as an institution.

Bisexuals, pansexuals and omnisexuals— people who are attracted to more than one gender on a gender spectrum—continue to

be marginalized within the LGBTQ+ world as well. Robyn Ochs is a national speaker, editor of the “Bi Women Quarterly” and coeditor of two anthologies, “Getting Bi: Voices of Bisexuals Around the World” and “RECOGNIZE: The Voices of Bisexual Men.” She says the Bisexual Resource Center, located in Boston, works to provide a safe space for people to share their stories, in addition to creating awareness, visibility, and providing resources.

“As a national speaker with one program that includes an anonymous survey of those present, I can say with certainty that the number of different identities is increasing, particularly amongst those who identify in the middle sexualities,” Ochs said. “Pansexual, bisexual and queer are the three I see the

Bisexuality, pansexuality and omnisexuality continue to be marginalized within the LGBTQ+ world as well. most often. I also come across people who identify as omnisexual, sapiosexual, polysexual, heteroflexible, homoflexible, straightish, gayish, fluid—and some who prefer to remain unlabeled. Another impor-

tant trend I see is that approximately 30 percent of participants in this program use more than one label simultaneously. For example, I identify as bisexual, pansexual and queer.”

Ochs noted that there has also been a major shift in the definition of bisexual in bi activist communities and among younger people who use the label.

“Rather than defining bisexual as people with the capacity to be attracted to men or women, we are defining bisexual as the potential to be attracted, romantically and/or sexually, to people of more than one gender, with the ‘bi’ in bisexual referencing attraction to people with gender identities similar to and different from one’s own,” said Ochs.

Misconceptions about bisexual, pansexual and omnisexual people continue to persist, according to Ochs, including that bisexual identity is transitional and unstable, or that bisexuals are hypersexual and untrustworthy.

“The United States is a very binary, erotophobic and ignorant place, and many of the stereotypes can be traced to this,” Ochs said.

Another group that continues to be largely marginalized are asexuals. New England Aces (NEA) provides support and community for individuals on the asexual spectrum (“aces”) and their allies. The group holds meetings and events for aces themselves as well as education and outreach for the community.

Hannah Hussey, co-organizer of New England Aces, said there is much diversity Read the rest of this story at: http://wp.me/p22M41-3xw

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 5

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015

Bourdon brings GB PFLAG to the forefront Founded in 1972, PFLAG is the nation's largest family and ally organization serving the LGBTQ community with over 350 chapters across the country. One of said chapters is the Greater Boston PFLAG, an organization that has been making leaps and bounds since the inception of its new President and Executive Director, Tom Bourdon, just one year ago.

Bourdon is no stranger to the non-profit world or advocacy work. Having served in various leadership roles within organizations primarily focused on LGBT issues, it is no surprise that Bourdon has been at the helm of Greater Boston PFLAG’s rapid expansion of services and programs.

In this exclusive interview, The Rainbow Times caught up with Bourdon about his accomplishments as President/Executive Director of the Greater Boston PFLAG as he candidly shared his initiatives, motivations and hopeful legacy.

The Rainbow Times: You’ve been involved with the Greater Boston PFLAG for just over a year now. Why was it important to you to step into the role of President/Executive Director?

Tom Bourdon: I personally did not “come out” (as a gay man) until after college. I had spent so many years struggling with accepting my own identity and feeling like I was in an environment where others would accept me, as well. Once I was finally able to be my true, authentic self, I received so much support and love. This made me want to do whatever I could to help others find support and understanding. Greater Boston

PHOTO: THE BOURDON FAMILY

By: Christine Nicco/TRT Reporter

The Bourdon Family (Tom - Right)

PFLAG’s mission is to provide support, education, and advocacy that will help create safer environments for LGBTQ people. For those reasons, I felt so fortunate to step into the role of President/Executive Director and help lead the charge.

Q. What is your vision for Greater Boston PFLAG? Have you achieved it?

A. My ultimate vision is to live in a world where people can proudly and safely be ...

See Bourdon on Page 15

6 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015

When did you know you were trans? A tough question in the mid-1960s By: Deja Nicole Greenlaw*/TRT Columnist

I

TRANS NEWS

recently took a trip to Florida, where I met many people and visited several friends, including one friend I’ve known since the mid-60s when we were both teenagers. He was very open to me still being his friend even though I have transitioned to female, and said it would be pretty shallow of him to not accept me. I agreed and thanked him for his enlightened point of view.

He did, however, ask me questions about being trans, and I answered his questions to the best of my ability. The hardest question for me to answer was really a statement by him. He said that he never had an inkling that I was trans. He remembers a group of us just experiencing life together and how I never let out any signs that I was trans.

I told him that at the time I didn’t know who or what I was. I knew that I wasn’t gay and I knew that I wasn’t really like anyone else. The word “trans” was not around at

that time, so I told him that I had nothing to define myself. I knew that I wasn’t like everyone else and I knew that it would be trouble if I brought this issue up with my parents, my school, my church, and even my friends, so I kept my mouth shut and tried to leave no trace of this issue. I went so deep

friends we would talk about things and do things as friends do. I told him there were two possible hints that I was different: that I was always the last of the group to try something new and that I wasn’t very active dating. When it came to new things, I would let everyone experience this new thing, such as

He said that he never had an inkling that I was trans. He remembers a group of us just experiencing life together and how I never let out any signs that I was trans. in my closet that I was subterranean. I hid it well!

My friend asked if my family knew or did they catch me wearing my mom and sisters’ clothes. I told him that I was so careful selecting the time when no one was around, and when I did dress in their clothes I would meticulously put everything back on hangers the exact way that I found them. I hung them back the same way with the hanger heads facing the same way and the exact number of buttons hooked up, no more, no less. I was very thorough. I did not want anyone to even suspect something was up.

Back in the 60s when I was with my

jumping off a ledge into water. I would watch them all jump before I did. When it came to my turn, everyone had safely jumped and the peer pressure was on me to jump. As far as dating, I had no interest in girls. My friend and another friend had already had sex with girls and I said that might have been a clue. My friend chuckled and said that I wasn’t the only one of us who never even got close to having sex with girls.

We both laughed. So, I guess that I never did give off any clues to my friends that I was different from them. I was just part of the gang as far as they knew.

Towards the end of my Florida trip I met

a Facebook friend in person for the first time. We are about the same age. She transitioned in the early 70s after going through anxiety and depression. Her experience was much different than mine. In the early 70s I was still in my subterranean closet; I didn’t transition until 2007.

We talked a bit about our differences and how we handled things differently. She was much bolder than I was when it came to transitioning. She knew who she was, and she wanted to be who she was. I was scared out of my mind and I had no idea who I was.

If anything, I thought that I was a “bad” person or a “sick” person. I was ashamed and terribly frightened of exploring who I was, so I did not pursue even thinking about transitioning at that time.

We listened to each other’s story. We agreed that we were on different paths, neither of which were easy, especially in the days when the word “trans” wasn’t known to us. At that time, with the lack of information available, it was truly very difficult to be who you really were. *Deja Nicole Greenlaw is a trans woman who has three grown children and is retired from 3M. She can be contacted via e-mail at dejavudeja@sbcglobal.net.

Ask a Trans Woman: On personal milestones and the “right” way to transition By: Lorelei Erisis*/TRT Columnist

PHOTO: DAVID MEEHAN

This is going to be a very personal column.

Recently, I had several major milestones in my own transition all come to fruition in a short period of time. I began my own formal transition about eight years ago, a full decade if I’m including the ramp-up to starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Many trans people I have known will go to great lengths to get all their ducks in a line before they come out publicly and start to live “full-time” as their true gender. They’ll get the surgeries, do the paperwork, relocate, rename, restart, whatever details they have always thought of as being the things that will make them truly feel comfortable in their new lives.

I knew I did not have that luxury. I am an actor, an artist, which are not fundamentally profitable or reliable professions. I believed that it was highly unlikely I’d ever be able 2

Imperial Court from page 2 States, Canada and Mexico.

About the Imperial Court of Western Massachusetts, Inc. (D.B.A. Principality of Western Mass) The Imperial Court of Western Mass Inc., is a 501(c)3 organization, and is Western Massachusetts’s most regal fundraising organization serving the LGBTQA community. The Court has raised thousands of dollars for charitable organizations including, Springfield Mass Pride, Northampton Pride and Diversity, Service Members United, The Bing Arts Center, the Holyoke Equal Rights Association, the LGBT Center of Springfield, Out Now of Springfield, and the AIDS Foundation of Western Mass. For more information, please visit www.pofwma.org.

to save enough money or find the stability of lifestyle to get the expensive surgeries and navigate the bureaucracies required to get a clean, fresh start as exactly the woman I wanted to be. For me, it was one of the major things that kept me from getting started on my transition. I could not see how I could possibly do it the way I had read and heard that it was supposed to be done.

Eventually, of course, I simply couldn’t take life as a man anymore. I had to transition. It became imperative. It was that or die.

I made the decision to do it, to do what I

Through a combination of hustling for free and low-cost services and the support and assistance of my girlfriend at the time, I was able to get started on the things I could. I did individual and group therapy so I could get a referral to a doctor who was willing to start me on HRT on an informed consent model, and I started HRT at the beginning of a cross-country road trip from Los Angeles to the town I grew up in on Cape Cod. More importantly, I started living “full-time” as a woman. I asked people to call me by my new name, Lorelei. Only very rarely and

Eventually, of course, I simply couldn’t take life as a man anymore. I had to transition. It became imperative. It was that or die. could with the resources I could find and to realize that it might take a good long time to check all the bullet points on my own personal transition comfort list. The most important thing was to start being myself, openly and honestly, to be the woman I already was and always had been, but had kept hidden.

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Why Marriage Equality Matters for Older Americans: http://tiny.cc/y5doxx Pride Season in New England - Don’t Miss Out on Them: http://tiny.cc/56doxx

TheRainbowTimesMass.com

under extreme duress did I pretend to be a man.

It was a tremendously awkward time. My body still very much showed the effects of years of testosterone “poisoning.” “Passing” as a woman wasn’t anything about which I had any illusions. Still, it was enough that I knew I was a woman and I was living as one.

I held my head high and carried on while HRT changed my body ever so painfully slowly and hard-won experience taught me the lessons of actually being a woman in the world.

My basic position in the world had not changed. I was, and still am, an actor and an artist, and now also an out, 6-foot-4-inch trans woman. While it made me much happier and healthier and more whole as a person in general, this did not do much for my already poor financial prospects. There was still a whole flock of ducks needing to be rounded up and herded into a row for my transition to progress as I wanted, many of which remained quite out of my grasp.

Some of these remained out of my grasp for quite legitimate reasons. Some, speaking frankly, remained undone out of simple human fear more than anything else. Sure, I had very legitimate sounding reasons for those too. I had excellent excuses designed to quickly and effectively shut down any line of questioning from anyone who might ask, including myself. If there’s one thing all those years in the closet taught me, one skill it honed to perfection, it was the ability to keep people from asking the questions I truly would like to avoid answering. Though I try to live my life as honestly as possible now, it requires often an effort of will to not reflexively resort to old defenses. I am no more or less human than anyone else in this respect.

In some ways, my transition has happened entirely backwards from the way it happens for other trans women, from the ways I had been told it was meant to progress. However, I strongly believe it is better to say yes to the options available and make strong choices in the moment than it is to be frozen by “somedays” and stagnation, even if I may occasionally find my own advice harder to follow than to give.

Years passed. I did what I could, made the steps I could make. My personal transition progressed in fits and starts, much of which I have written or spoken about here and elsewhere. Relatively recently, I began a new relationship which I have found to be very healthy for me. My new partner is able to cut through my defenses and push me in just the right ways to do the things I need to do. In addition, I have found myself comfortable enough in my transition to turn some additional attention back to the pursuit of my profession as an artist. This does, however, require me to deal with some of the more To read the rest of this story visit: http://wp.me/p22M41-3xF

Look for the glossy pocket-sized version at your pride.

Look for the glossy pocket-sized version at your pride.

Look for the glossy pocket-sized version at your pride.

New England Pride Map! • New England Pride Map! Look for the glossy pocket-sized version at your pride.

New England Pride Map! • New England Pride Map!

• The Rainbow Times’ New England Pride Map • 7

www.therainbowtimesmass.com

• www.therainbowtimesmass.com

10 • The Rainbow Times’ New England Pride Map

Look for the glossy pocket-sized version at your pride.

Look for the glossy pocket-sized version at your pride.

Look for the glossy pocket-sized version at your pride.

New England Pride Map! • New England Pride Map! Look for the glossy pocket-sized version at your pride.

New England Pride Map! • New England Pride Map!

• The Rainbow Times’ New England Pride Map • 9

www.therainbowtimesmass.com

• www.therainbowtimesmass.com

8 • The Rainbow Times’ New England Pride Map

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 11

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015

Sociedad y evolución al matrimonio gay La dificultad de encontrar a una pareja

R

LATIN VISION

ecientemente se suscitó un arduo debate en el Tribunal Supremo de los Estados Unidos por una demanda civil de clase (que varias parejas gay demandan al mismo tiempo). Dicha demanda llega a la Corte Suprema debido a la necesidad que las parejas gay tienen para que se les reconozcan sus matrimonios. De esta manera, el Estado cumple con su deber constitucional de hacerle valer todos los derechos jurídicos y legales a los matrimonios compuestos por parejas del mismo sexo, como a cualquier matrimonio heterosexual.

La ignorancia que el fundamentalismo religioso ha proliferado en contra del homosexualismo en diferentes sociedades y continentes continúa teniendo repercusiones muy dañinas para la humanidad. En el mundo, millones de homosexuales han sido víctimas de asesinatos, agresiones, injusticia y desigualdades. Esta realidad social merece debate, pero sobre todo merece acción orientada a lograr la igualdad y a erradicar todo tipo de homofobia existente.

El fundamentalismo religioso es un motor creador de confusiones y tiene como objetivo dividir a nuestras familias. Crea una cultura de creencias equivocadas sobre lo que verdaderamente representa ser gay, por lo que los líderes religiosos fundamentalistas necesitan proliferar su fundamentalismo, para proseguir manteniendo su poder y dominio sobre un sector de la sociedad religioso, que en búsqueda de la fe, cae en la trampa del supuesto pecado o aberración de la homosexualidad.

La realidad es que la sociedad debe evolucionar a la equidad. Estados Unidos tiene en la mesa la oportunidad de habituarse a los nuevos tiempos de igualdad y equidad, como ya lo han hecho decenas de países en el mundo. Países en los que la dignidad humana y la democracia han abrazado la equidad y los derechos de las personas gay, lesbianas, bisexuales, transgéneros y transexuales.

La veterana abogada y defensora de los derechos gays de Massachusetts, Mary Bonauto, indicó que "No se trata de cambiar la definición del matrimonio", defendiendo que las parejas gays tienen el mismo derecho que el resto a casarse, tal y como establece la Decimocuarta Enmienda a la Constitución, en la que se procura "igual protección ante las leyes" a todos los ciudadanos.

Además, es importante indicar que la juez del Tribunal Supremo, la puertorriqueña Sonia Sotomayor, indicó que los defensores del matrimonio gay no les quitan nada a los homosexuales. "Cada individuo en esta sociedad, si puede, decide su orientación sexual, o con quien se quiere o no casar. Me sospecho que otorgando el derecho al matrimonio a los homosexuales, algunos van a decidir no hacerlo. Igual que heterosexuales deciden no casarse", señaló Sotomayor.

Estas expresiones son importantes para comprender la necesidad de que la sociedad evolucione a la equidad y al reconocimiento

Científicamente la homosexualidad está presente en más de mil especies del mundo animal, y los seres humanos, como seres biológicos, no están exentos de dicha realidad mundial. de los derechos de las personas gays y de la comunidad LGBTT. Todo ser humano debe tener el derecho innegable a la libertad, a su dignidad humana y a que los derechos constitucionales le traten como igual ante el resto de la sociedad.

La orientación sexual es un concepto muy diverso, ya que la humanidad es diversa en su definición más simple. Hay diferentes gustos, atracciones y sentimientos en los seres humanos. Desde esta perspectiva, no se puede ni se debe coartar los derechos de las personas gays, solamente porque algún sector de la sociedad tenga la creencia que la homosexualidad es un pecado o que, atenta contra alguna creencia religiosa como tal.

Científicamente la homosexualidad está presente en más de mil especies del mundo animal, y los seres humanos, como seres biológicos, no están exentos de dicha realidad mundial. La homosexualidad es una orientación sexual innata en el mundo animal y en los seres humanos. Esta conceptualización sobre la homosexualidad en cientos o miles de especies animales debe ser expresada al hablar sobre los derechos de las personas gays.

Además, debemos unir al debate sobre el matrimonio gay, la Declaración Universal de los Derechos Humanos. Dicha Declaración protege a toda persona en torno al derecho a la libertad, la dignidad humana, a sus propias creencias, entre otros conceptos que deben ser reconocidos en las personas que pertenecemos a la Comunidad LGBTT. Evolucionar a la equidad es legalizar el matrimonio gay y proteger a las personas homosexuales en contra del discrimen laboral, social y religioso. Supondría comenzar un arduo proceso por criminalizar la homofobia que posee efectos irreparables en las personas gays y sus familias—teniendo Lea el resto de esta columna en: http://wp.me/p22M41-3xC

Por: Wilfred W. Labiosa*/Columnista de TRT

C

omienzo con que no estoy buscando en estos momentos a una pareja. Estoy envés compartiendo con mis amistades, familiares y gozando de la vida en Puerto Rico—ajustándome, pero tampoco soy un santo. Escribo esta columna con un amigo que me ha enseñado como manejar las “curvas y calles” de la vida gay Latina.

Cabe mencionar que anteriormente no he salido con latinos, ha sido con anglosajones o afro-americanos. Quiero que alguien entienda, no sólo a mí pero también mi cultura y familia. Aunque hay personas, no latinas, que pueden entender y ser las mejores parejas del mundo, en estos momentos busco a un latino que rinda experiencias diferentes. ¡Lo veo en el futuro! Aunque estos comentarios surgen de lo vivido hasta ahora, estoy seguro que muchos/as se pueden identificar.

Estaba casado, ya lo saben, y por eso no salía en mas de 15 años. ¡Estoy fuera de práctica! Muchas cosas han cambiado, otras siguen igual y otras peores. Primero, clasificaciones. Están las ‘Ponca’ (un hombre afeminado joven que se viste llamativo con peinados elaborados) versus alguien varonil/un machote (‘muscu-locas’, con músculos y con cuerpo), osos (peludos y gorditos), alguien “preppy (una persona que se ve bien pero no cae en ninguna otra clasificación y se viste apropiado para cada ocasión).” También hay las ‘abejas parias”, alguien con ropa bien ajustada con una barriguita, camisa de listas horizontales y colores llamativos. Están los del caserío (caquitos), de la calle y los de vecindarios o casas de papá/mamá. ¿Por qué estas clasificaciones? Porque es sólo ver a la persona por y como es. De verdad que la gente gay, la mayoría, son tan superficiales. Sólo juzgan como te ves, como te vistes, donde vives, el carro que usas y los sitios que frecuentas. Esto se puede dar alrededor del PHOTO: ERIC HESS

Por: Francisco “El Jimagua” Cartagena Méndez*/Especial para TRT

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL MOMS OUT THERE FROM TRT! ESPECIALLY TO PATRIA & RINDY!

mundo.

Segundo, viene el contacto visual utilizando las clasificaciones anteriores y la elección con quien vas a salir (si estás en P.R.). Las redes sociales y todos los medios visuales sin decir una sola palabra. Tercero, llega la comunicación. Esto es un departamento mucho más moderno y diferente al que dejé atrás. Ahora si no tienes WhatsApp, no hay comunicación; si no tienes fotos en Facebook u otra aplicación, no existes. No se debe llamar por teléfono ya que se considera un hostigamiento. ¡Increíble!

Conozco de hombres que después de compartir teléfonos, al llamarlos es pecado. Sólo se “textea” y se habla por aplicaciones. No se conoce a la persona físicamente si no por apps (aplicaciones). Aunque se miren en el club o barra y se intercambian teléfonos, se conocen más detalles de las persona de estas maneras. ¿Qué pasó con hablar y conocerse?

Detesto la tecnología ya que es tan impersonal, pero se ha convertido en una necesidad para conocer a personas del ambiente.

Cuarto, llega el momento de conocerse físicamente, ¡aquí sí que es tan difícil para tantos! He tenido unas experiencias horribles cuando se llega al diálogo. Hablan de moda, a donde ir para darse la cerveza, “janguear”, clubes o barras. Creo que la primera cita o sitio donde encontrarse (o conocerse) debería ser un restaurante o café.

Entiendo que un sitio donde haya ruido no se da para conocerse y que estos hombres no saben de que hablar; se sienten incómodos al hablar por más de cinco minutos. Esto no tiene que ver con edad, sólo con madurez y educación. No leen el periódico ni ven las noticias. ¿Qué es esto? Por favor coja a una revista que no sea de modas, lea el periódico o, aún mejor, vea las noticias, aunque sea una vez a la semana. Por favor retírese de los clubes por unas semanas, lea y no salga en citas ya que va a repetir lo mismo. ¡Por eso están solos!

Quinto, sexo—increíble pero no ha camLea el resto de esta columna en: http://wp.me/p22M41-3xA

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12 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015

Heading to the Cape? Check out these LGBTQ summer attractions in P-Town BOSTON, Mass.— Summer is almost upon us, and Provincetown, Mass. will be full of events geared towards the LGBTQ community in Cape Cod’s well-known artist colony.

From family events to athletics, charity fundraisers and entertainment, there is something for everyone. Here are seven ideas for making the most of your vacation in Provincetown.

A Night at the Chef’s Table The AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod (ASGCC) will host this culinary fundraiser June 4 for the 24th year. Event organizers are expecting around 400 people to sign up for the fixed price $100-per person meals from over 50 local participating restaurants.

“One restaurant owner and an innkeeper started it back in 1992, and it’s becoming one of our biggest yearly fundraisers,” said Barry Cook, ASGCC events and volunteer coordinator. “It’s an event that’s done well and people expect it.”

All reservations are made ahead of time with a maximum amount of people per group capping at 12. All of the money will go directly to the agency to assist in supporting the organization’s outreach across 500 square miles. The funds also support their various programs and collaborations with the New England Alliance for Gay and Bisexual Men’s Health. Last year, A Night at the Chef’s Table brought in $42,000, but this year ASGCC is hoping for $50,000.

An announcement will be made in early May with all of the restaurant options. For more information, contact Cook at (508) 487-9445 or visit www.asgcc.org.

Provincetown International Film Festival Now in its 17th year, the annual event features a variety of cinematography from features to shorts, and will be held this year from June 17-21. Many of the filmmakers are New England locals, and even more specifically from Cape Cod and Provincetown itself. This year’s final list of films for 2015 will be available in early May. “This year, we’re focused on creating a more enhanced experience for our audience and coming up with more ways for audiences to engage with the filmmakers on a more intimate way through smaller and more events,” said Christine Walker, CEO of the Provincetown Film Society.

The festival is known for making a strong effort to appeal towards the LGBTQ community. In the past, titles like “The Case Against 8,” “Love Is Strange,” and “Queer Shorts,” have all been featured. Last year’s Huffington Post review even referred to the festival as having a “Delightfully queer lineup.”

To view ticket prices and for more information, visit www.ptownfilmfest.org or call (508) 487-FILM. Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders Annual Summer Party Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) will host its annual summer party July 25 at the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum from 4 to 7 p.m. with a live and silent auction. Projected attendance will include over 500 supporters for this fundraiser, now in its 34th year.

“I always look forward to the opportunity to spend time with our amazing supporters at GLAD’s annual Summer Party,” GLAD

Carnival Parade goers in 2014

Executive Director Janson Wu said. “It’s always a great celebration in one of the most scenic spots in Provincetown, and this year, we could be celebrating another historic victory as GLAD’s Mary Bonauto has just argued for national marriage equality before the U.S. Supreme Court.”

For more information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit http://tiny.cc/tydhxx or contact Johnny Lin at jlin@glad.org.

OutRiders Boston to Provincetown Bike Ride This annual bicycle trip, held June 22 this year, attracts people of a variety of ages and locations from the LGBTQ community. In the past people have come from across the United States as well as Canada, with a fairly even mix of men and women. The one-day trek is centered more on the journey than a race mentality. The ride typically begins with cyclists leaving Boston between 6 and 6:30 a.m. with the fastest arriving in Provincetown by 1:30 p.m. and the latest following by 7:30 p.m.

“There are some riders who are very fast and are very attuned to how fast they’re going,” said Lew Lasher, a member of the OutRiders organizing committee. “They can tell you how fast they did it last year and how fast they think they’re going to do it this year. Then there are other people who are more relaxed about it. There really is quite a variety among people who are willing to do a 126-mile bike ride within that population.”

Now in its 31st year, the event has grown from an initial eight riders to an estimated 150 people for 2015. Lasher attributes this to the recently deceased OutRiders’ founder Bob Bland and his outreach to LGBT bicy-

PHOTO: DANIEL MCKEON

cle clubs throughout the United States. Although most people use road bikes to complete the journey, no specific bike is required and it has been completed on both mountain and tandem bicycles.

Most participants spend at least one or two nights in Provincetown, yet it is possible to do the ride in one day by returning that night on the Provincetown Fast Ferry. The event is a supported ride, so organizers will make sure that any luggage is transported to Provincetown via a truck ahead of time.

Online registration is available for $70 with the deadline of June 9. For more information about signing up or becoming a volunteer, visit www.OutRiders.org or contact outridersb2p@gmail.com.

zines, Bear Week has grown to attract some 8,000 to 10,000 people every July, and will be held July 11-19, 2015. The event began 15 years ago as a way to get some friends together during the summer, and has now extended to nine days of festivities.

“They come from as far away as New Zealand and Australia and every country usually from Sweden to Spain to western Europe,” said Jim Burrows, founding director of Bear Week. “Occasionally some come from South America, Asia and the Middle East. We have somebody coming from South Africa this year. So, we basically have people from six of the seven continents. It’s a fairly international event and probably even 90 percent of the United States each

Provincetown Bear Week Initially a 200-person event advertised by word of mouth and special interest maga-

To read about Provincetown’s Carnival and the Family Equality Council’s Family Pride Week go to: http://wp.me/p22M41-3xI

Nkicked O H O P RIDE off Pride Season in NE on

May 2

http://tiny.cc/trt_np15

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 13

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015

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14 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015

TheRainbowTimesMass.com • The Rainbow Times • 15

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015

Bourdon from page 5 themselves, and where our diverse identities are better understood and celebrated. I want this be the case for people of all ages—in all of our homes, schools, places of worship, workplaces, health care facilities, etc. I wish I could say we’ve achieved this, but we have a long way to go!

Q. Greater Boston PFLAG now has 16 different parent/family support groups (6 being specific to parents of trans*/gender non-conforming children). How many groups did it have before you came on board?

A. Two or three support groups ‘officially’ started after I came onto the staff. As they say, “it takes a village,” and this is definitely the case as far as why our programming continues to succeed and grow. Greater Boston PFLAG is so fortunate to have an incredible army of deeply committed volunteers, board members, and staff.

Q. Six out of 16 support groups focus on transgender and/or gender non-conforming (GNC) children. How does supporting parents with transgender children different than supporting parents with a lesbian, gay, or bisexual child?

A. When comparing and contrasting the support groups, there are some areas where parents of LGB and transgender, gender non-conforming, and/or genderqueer (T/GNC/GQ) children might relate, such as wanting to know how they can be supportive; realizing their child has an integral aspect of their identity to which the parent cannot relate; or having fears if their child will be safe and accepted. However, there are so many additional issues that parents of T/GNC/GQ children are also likely to be facing. We have these separate groups because when people need support, it is immensely helpful to find others to whom they can closely relate. Gender identity is our biggest growth area in terms of individuals coming to us looking for help. More and more people, young children included, are “coming out” in regards to their gender identity. For this reason, the need for such groups continues to grow.

Q. You also offer a telephone hotline. Who can take advantage of the hotline and what are the next steps after that call ends?

A. Generally we receive calls from parents looking for support because their child might identify somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Occasionally, we receive calls from non-parents with similar circumstances, or LGBTQ+ people themselves who are looking for support or resources.

We do our best to point anyone who contacts us in the direction of support, whether it’s something our organization can provide or towards other resources that would be helpful.

Q. Under your award-winning Safe Schools and Communities program, Greater Boston PFLAG conducted 250 workshops last year, reaching over 15K people. What is the intent of the workshops?

A. Our intent is to change hearts and minds, and create environments that are safer for LGBTQ people. Looking at very recent statistics, it is clear that even here in Massachusetts there is still so much work to do. The 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that in MA, 38 percent of lesbian, gay, and bisexual high schools had been bullied over the past year, and 24.4 percent had tried to take their own life in the past year (compared to 4.4 percent of their straight peers).

These horrifying numbers are typically found to be even worse for transgender people. When looking outside of schools and at the workplace, over 50 percent of people were found to be closeted on the job, across all states and industries. We hope that people leave Greater Boston PFLAG workshops wanting to be part of the change that is so desperately needed. People can go to our website or contact our office if they are interested in working with us.

Q. Often times, many anti-LGBT messages are being sent out by certain religious groups from the pulpit. Do you work with the religious community to bring an understanding to LGBT issues?

A. Absolutely. We love working with communities of faith! Truth be told, we are often contacted by religious entities that already consider themselves “welcoming” or “open and affirming” to LGBTQ people. We love working with them, but we also hope to get into more communities of faith that are closer to the start of that journey, where they might be hoping to learn more and begin the process of opening their hearts and minds.

Q. What do you view as your greatest accomplishment to date as the GB PFLAG President/ED? A. I have been working really hard to get people to understand that GB PFLAG is an organization that exists to serve our entire community. We are not simply a parent-support group, or an organization focusing exclusively on schools, either. Let me be clear, those are two really important areas of focus for us, in a major and wonderful way, but we are also providing support, education, and advocacy in so many other places—hospitals, workplaces, places of worship, branches of the military, communities centers, and the list goes on. I am very proud that this message is getting out there, and that our work continues to evolve and expand.

Q. What has been your biggest challenge since stepping into this role?

A. Personally speaking—keeping up! There is so much need in our community, and it can feel like the work is never done. I’m also the husband to an amazing man and father to the two most beautiful children in the world, so being able to balance three such important roles is tricky. But fortunately, they are three awesome roles that I am so lucky to fill, so it’s a balancing act.

Q. How would your closest family and friends describe you, using three words?

A. I had to ask my husband this one! He said passionate, smart, and approachable.

Q. What is something fun and crazy that the community would be surprised to learn about you?

A. Hmmmm … Rumor has it [that] there is an old episode of “Power Rangers” where I can be seen being chased around a beach by the “stink monster!”

Q. If there were one thing that you could eradicate in the world, what would it be?

A. Ignorance Q. What legacy would you like to leave behind?

A. I would love to be known as someone who, in some way, made this world a better place.

Greater Boston PFLAG will celebrate Bourdon’s first complete year as President/Executive Director of the organization at their Pride and Passion event to be held on May 11. To learn more about this event, or Greater Boston PFLAG, visit www.gbpflag.org.

BSL: TRT Sponsors the Terriers, 3 years in a row BOSTON, Mass.—LGBTQ Sports teams are not often ones that make the headline news. However, for marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ community, such sports foster pride and enhance community building through shared interests. For the third year in a row, The Rainbow Times has sponsored a team on the Beantown Softball League—The Terriers.

“The Rainbow Times is proud to sponsor ‘The Rainbow Times’ Terriers again this year,” said Nicole Lashomb, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of TRT. “As the largest LGBTQ newspaper in New England since 2006 and with our headquarters in Boston, we recognize the importance of giving back to the local community. The role of any community media should go beyond that of informing others and should include supporting activities that will undeniably enhance unity through teamwork and social interactions. That is how community is built.”

The Terriers began as a team of recreational players four years ago and since then; they have increased their level of skill, winning their division's season and playoffs last year. The team, according to Paul Gagnon, the team’s coach, is now embarking on a move to an advanced division with a higher competitive level of play and traveling to softball tournaments hosted by other LGBT leagues across the country.

“The Boston Terriers of the Beantown Softball League are fortunate to be sponsored by The Rainbow Times again this year,” said Gagnon, TRT Terriers Coach since the team’s inception. “This is the third

PHOTO: TRT ARCHIVES/SEAN SULLIVAN

The Rainbow Times’ Terriers

consecutive year that their generosity has provided the means for the team to play softball in the largest athletic organization open to LGBT people and straight allies in New England. Thanks to our sponsor, we are able to pay league fees, provide numbered jerseys, and pay umpires.”

The Beantown Softball League (http://beantownsoftball.com/), BSL, was founded in 1978, and is the largest athletic organization open to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and heterosexual people in New England, according to its website.

“I am overjoyed and grateful to have The Rainbow Times on board again this year as a sponsor of the Boston Terriers,” said Henry Paquin, Chair of Unity Pride Boston and Boston Terriers Player. “Nicole Lashomb and Gricel Ocasio are two wonderful ladies that understand the true meaning of community and giving back.”

The Rainbow Times Terriers’ roster is curRead the rest of this story at: http://wp.me/p22M41-3xN

16 • The Rainbow Times • TheRainbowTimesMass.com

May 7, 2015 - June 3, 2015